Reports in the Spanish press claim that a deal is set to be announced that will see Valencia become the sole Spanish Formula 1 race venue from next year, paving the way for the Circuit de Catalunya to finally be dropped from the F1 calendar.

This story was aired on Radio Valencia and Cadena SER, and both carried claims that the port city – which played host to a rather dull (by 2011 standards) Grand Prix last weekend – will assume the ‘Spanish Grand Prix’ title for 2012 and beyond.

The reports are that a “verbal agreement” has been reached – soon to be confirmed in writing, they claim – that will see F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone ink a deal that will secure the Valencia race on the calendar until 2021.

Also adding fuel to the fire was the city’s mayor, Rita Barbera, who told the EFE news agency that the city was pressing for an earlier date on the F1 calendar.

Should the deal be inked, then expect the race at Valencia to occur in the May calendar slot traditionally reserved for the Barcelona race.